Effect of Fertilizer and Irrigation on Nitrate-Nitrogen and Total Nitrogen in Potato Tubers

Carter, J.N. and Bosma, S.M. (1974) Effect of Fertilizer and Irrigation on Nitrate-Nitrogen and Total Nitrogen in Potato Tubers. Agronomy Journal. 66(2):263-266.

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Abstract

This study was conducted to determine the effect of N
fertilizer and irrigation management on potato (Solanum
tuberosum L.) tuber NO₃-N levels and the relationship to
the potential health hazard created by high nitrate levels
in food products.

'Russet Burbank' potatoes grown using different N fertilizer
rates, methods of application, and irrigation levels
were analyzed for NO₃-N concentration. The NO₃-N concentration
in the tubers on a wet weight basis varied from
36 to 131, 34 to 75, and 25 to 50 ppm in the 3 years of
this study. The NO₃-N concentration for each year of
study was found to be directly related to the level of applied
N fertilizer. The initial concentration and increase
in NO₃-N due to N fertilizer varied with the season. The
addition of manure did not increase the NO₃-N level
above those to be expected from similar quantities of
inorganic sources of N. Phosphorus fertilizer did not increase
the NO₃-N level. The NO₃-N concentration in the
tubers where more water was applied at each irrigation
was less than on the lower level of applied water at each
N rate. These data indicate that greater NO₃-N levels in
the tubers will result by increasing N fertilization rates.
The levels of NO₃-N obtained in this study were not expected
to contribute substantially to the methemoglobinemia
health hazard.

Item Type:	Article
NWISRL Publication Number:	0279
Subjects:	Irrigated crops > Potato Soil > Amendments > Fertilizer Mass Import - autoclassified (may be erroneous)
Depositing User:	Dan Stieneke
Date Deposited:	20 Nov 2010 21:51
Last Modified:	16 Feb 2017 21:37
Item ID:	254
URI:	https://eprints.nwisrl.ars.usda.gov/id/eprint/254